This is one of those silly 1940's mysteries with an aggressive female reporter and her half-wit cameraman, trying to get a really big "scoop." They go to the laboratory of a scientist who has invented a device for listening in on people, no matter where they are. There are a couple murders and bodies disappearing. The huffy police detective who is constantly being called to investigate things that change before he arrives. He grunts and snarls. He won't admit it, but he really likes Patsy, the reporter. There are many pratfalls, one, where the butler barely touches the cameraman and he goes flying through the living room, landing in an easy chair. It adds slapstick, which, in this case, is a distraction. The invention is taken for granted and used in the solution of the crime. It implies that there are such devices. To this day, we have nothing like this. The byplay between the two principles is pretty funny. There are some good character actors, doing slow burns, sneaking up on people, sounding very sombre. I'm a sucker for these old movies and did get a kick out of this one.
11 Reviews
Rogies Gallery
Spuzzlightyear25 March 2012
Curious knockoff, Hey, it was popular, so why not continue the trend? of the "Front Page", where a pair of pushy and nosy reporters attempt to get the big scoop on a newfangled electronic device that you eavesdrop on conversations everywhere. Everyone wants to get their hands on the invention, even if that means, yes, murder! The pair of reporters are quite smart-alecky, often finisihing their sentences by saying a cute line in unison (They like to say "Here We Go Again!" a lot). Of course the two are the ones who see everything, so they're running around all over the place during the story. It's alright I suppose, but looks cheap and somewhat unintentionally funny (the lady reporter doesn't take her huge hat off at all during the movie). Okay for what it is.
Abradive leads weaken an other wise very good comedy mystery
dbborroughs28 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
A reporter and her photographer are assigned to look into a new scientific invention that can pick up sound with out a microphone from a great distance. Of course everyone wants it so inevitably murder follows.
Jokey, fast moving comedy mystery tale is an okay 1940's programmer. The plot and the comedy aren't bad, unfortunately the two leads, Robin Raymond and Frank Jenks, come off as abrasive instead of charming and I kept hoping that someone would kill them so a pair of new leads could take over. (They are the fast talking reporter clichés to the nth degree). Worth a look on a slow night but not really something you need search out. 5 out of 10, it should be a point or two higher but the leads annoyed me too much.
Jokey, fast moving comedy mystery tale is an okay 1940's programmer. The plot and the comedy aren't bad, unfortunately the two leads, Robin Raymond and Frank Jenks, come off as abrasive instead of charming and I kept hoping that someone would kill them so a pair of new leads could take over. (They are the fast talking reporter clichés to the nth degree). Worth a look on a slow night but not really something you need search out. 5 out of 10, it should be a point or two higher but the leads annoyed me too much.
Here we go again
Chase_Witherspoon8 September 2012
A pair of hotshot reporters (Jenks and Raymond) are sent to uncover the story of a daring new sound amplification invention when they inadvertently become embroiled in the murders and apparent attempted murders of the invention's consortium members, and turn super sleuths to solve the crimes.
Typical light comedy cum mystery B-movie co-stars H.B. Warner as the invention's mild-mannered creator, Jenks as the shrewd photographer and raven-maned Raymond as the bolshy, fast-talking intrepid newswoman willing to resort to extortion to uncover the truth. Raymond's feisty, self-assured prima donna is perhaps superior to the film's weak plot and drab dialogue, though her chirpy, nasal accent and frequent wise-cracking put-downs could be perceived as somewhat irritating if you're not in the right mood to receive. Edward Keane has a supporting role as the duo's editor, a role suited to his no-nonsense, authoritative demeanour.
A little slapstick, a few corny one-liners, synchronised catchphrases ("here we go again") and the usual shady characters fill out a compact 57 minute plot, but apart from Warner's relaxed professionalism (in a rather minor supporting role) complemented by Raymond's energy, there's not a whole lot to recommend.
Typical light comedy cum mystery B-movie co-stars H.B. Warner as the invention's mild-mannered creator, Jenks as the shrewd photographer and raven-maned Raymond as the bolshy, fast-talking intrepid newswoman willing to resort to extortion to uncover the truth. Raymond's feisty, self-assured prima donna is perhaps superior to the film's weak plot and drab dialogue, though her chirpy, nasal accent and frequent wise-cracking put-downs could be perceived as somewhat irritating if you're not in the right mood to receive. Edward Keane has a supporting role as the duo's editor, a role suited to his no-nonsense, authoritative demeanour.
A little slapstick, a few corny one-liners, synchronised catchphrases ("here we go again") and the usual shady characters fill out a compact 57 minute plot, but apart from Warner's relaxed professionalism (in a rather minor supporting role) complemented by Raymond's energy, there's not a whole lot to recommend.
"This man is deader than yesterday's headlines".
classicsoncall27 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
For the second day in a row I'm forced to use the word 'brainless' to describe a movie I've just watched. Yesterday it was the Bowery Boys in "Master Minds", but with them you expect a bit of nonsense to go with the story. "Rogues Gallery" is just a mess from the word go, as a couple of investigative reporters from the Daily Express attempt to get the scoop on a new invention and the murders that follow trying to steal those plans.
What I wonder about when I watch a film like this is how any of the players could possibly make any sense out of the story. The drawings for this top secret listening device trade hands a number of times, while a couple of dead bodies wind up here and there in a dubious version of musical chairs. The invention at the center of the story was interesting though, a form of wireless communication that could pick up voices at a distance. Cell phone anyone? Now that I think about it, how secret would those plans be once they appeared in the newspaper? Those Emerson Foundation guys opened up the diagram of the device so Eddie Porter (Frank Jenks) could take a picture for the front page!
The film could probably have been more tolerable if the chemistry between photographer Eddie and reporter Patsy Clark (Robin Raymond) worked a bit better. Most of the time their banter fell flat, while the whistling gag was annoying the first time around. They even used the old lights out trick, not once but twice to have the invention drawings disappear. You would think there'd be a safe in that big old lab where they could have kept them in one place for a while.
Probably the thing that kept me going with this flick was the uncanny resemblance the two leads had to other actors of the era. Frank Jenks kept reminding me of Bob Hope, while Robin Raymond came across like a poor man's Martha Raye. Interesting because Hope and Raye teamed up in a dubious romantic comedy of their own five years earlier, in 1939's "Never Say Die".
What I wonder about when I watch a film like this is how any of the players could possibly make any sense out of the story. The drawings for this top secret listening device trade hands a number of times, while a couple of dead bodies wind up here and there in a dubious version of musical chairs. The invention at the center of the story was interesting though, a form of wireless communication that could pick up voices at a distance. Cell phone anyone? Now that I think about it, how secret would those plans be once they appeared in the newspaper? Those Emerson Foundation guys opened up the diagram of the device so Eddie Porter (Frank Jenks) could take a picture for the front page!
The film could probably have been more tolerable if the chemistry between photographer Eddie and reporter Patsy Clark (Robin Raymond) worked a bit better. Most of the time their banter fell flat, while the whistling gag was annoying the first time around. They even used the old lights out trick, not once but twice to have the invention drawings disappear. You would think there'd be a safe in that big old lab where they could have kept them in one place for a while.
Probably the thing that kept me going with this flick was the uncanny resemblance the two leads had to other actors of the era. Frank Jenks kept reminding me of Bob Hope, while Robin Raymond came across like a poor man's Martha Raye. Interesting because Hope and Raye teamed up in a dubious romantic comedy of their own five years earlier, in 1939's "Never Say Die".
Energetic Programmer
dougdoepke6 September 2017
A feisty girl reporter and her photographer buddy cover murder involving a professor, his big money sponsors, and an amazing invention, all combined in light-hearted fashion of the day (1944).
I can see late shifts at WWII defense plants getting a kick out of this clichéd fare. Combine fast- talking reporters with a secret invention, disappearing corpses, and an array of murder suspects, and you've got a sure-fire B-movie. Jenks may get top billing but it's Raymond's movie. Her mouth speaks in machine gun bursts, while she charges forth like a tank on steroids. All in all, she's no cuddle bunny, but she is going to get the story no matter what. Surprisingly, there's no hint of romance anywhere, a definite departure from the norm. That's probably because the younger leading men are in uniform.Too bad that the mystery part doesn't really gel since the focus is on characters rather than the murky plot. Note HB Warner as the skeletal professor. His silent film credits are impressive as heck. His presence here must be for paycheck only. Anyhow, it's a wartime programmer, nothing special but competently done.
I can see late shifts at WWII defense plants getting a kick out of this clichéd fare. Combine fast- talking reporters with a secret invention, disappearing corpses, and an array of murder suspects, and you've got a sure-fire B-movie. Jenks may get top billing but it's Raymond's movie. Her mouth speaks in machine gun bursts, while she charges forth like a tank on steroids. All in all, she's no cuddle bunny, but she is going to get the story no matter what. Surprisingly, there's no hint of romance anywhere, a definite departure from the norm. That's probably because the younger leading men are in uniform.Too bad that the mystery part doesn't really gel since the focus is on characters rather than the murky plot. Note HB Warner as the skeletal professor. His silent film credits are impressive as heck. His presence here must be for paycheck only. Anyhow, it's a wartime programmer, nothing special but competently done.
Rogue Reporter
bnwfilmbuff14 April 2017
Typical wacky 40s crime-mystery-comedy involving the attempted theft of an invention of a super eavesdropping device. There's a couple of murders along the way as the flick evolves into a whodunit. Robin Raymond stars as the wise-cracking newspaper reporter assigned to get the story on the invention. She's good if somewhat abrasive in the role with good delivery of some funny comebacks. Frank Jenks is her photographer in tow and is distractingly stupid. Ray Walker is the obligatory reporter from the competitive paper, providing an occasional sparring partner for Raymond, and happens to be the nephew of the head of the institution of where the invention occurred. The movie title is baffling because there is no Rogue's Gallery because there are no obvious suspects. Nevertheless, the movie is fun and fast paced. It's an okay time waster but don't make an effort to seek it out.
dead man walking!!!
kidboots6 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The most distinguished member of the cast is H.B. Warner (and he was pretty distinguished). Robin Raymond (Patsy) seemed to appear in mostly uncredited bits until "Rogue's Gallery" - obviously, she didn't make people sit up and take notice so it was back to uncredited bits for her. Frank Jenks is the most recognized player, he seemed to pop up in just about every other film in the late 30s and all through the 40s.
He is the star of this dubious crime drama and plays Eddie Porter, who along with a very irritating and aggressive reporter Patsy, are sent to interview Professor Reynolds (H. B. Warner). He is working on a machine that will pick up sound and voices from a distance, without the aid of a radio transmitter but before the intrepid two can get there, he is shot. As the villain makes his getaway, he drops a book of drawings that Patsy picks up. Before they can get back to the office they are held up but Eddie takes a picture and the villain is blinded by the flashlight. Eddie and Patsy then go to the group of scientists working on the plans and ask for an interview in exchange for the plans. They are just finishing the interview when the lights go out and another attempt is made to steal the drawings. Patsy feels she is the target as the villain thinks she may have seen him. By now the viewer is thinking - who cares???? It is obvious why Robin Raymond was not a successful actress. She seemed to have an abrasive personality, as one of the other reviewers says, and she didn't have the looks so that you could overlook her obnoxious personality. By now a body has been found on the porch, then when the police are called it mysteriously disappears. It then reappears not only in Patsy's car but in the police chief's car as well. Eddie and Patsy are convinced one of the scientists is behind it (even the most interesting character in the film, Duckworth, the butler (George Kirby) is acting suspicious, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it?????)
He is the star of this dubious crime drama and plays Eddie Porter, who along with a very irritating and aggressive reporter Patsy, are sent to interview Professor Reynolds (H. B. Warner). He is working on a machine that will pick up sound and voices from a distance, without the aid of a radio transmitter but before the intrepid two can get there, he is shot. As the villain makes his getaway, he drops a book of drawings that Patsy picks up. Before they can get back to the office they are held up but Eddie takes a picture and the villain is blinded by the flashlight. Eddie and Patsy then go to the group of scientists working on the plans and ask for an interview in exchange for the plans. They are just finishing the interview when the lights go out and another attempt is made to steal the drawings. Patsy feels she is the target as the villain thinks she may have seen him. By now the viewer is thinking - who cares???? It is obvious why Robin Raymond was not a successful actress. She seemed to have an abrasive personality, as one of the other reviewers says, and she didn't have the looks so that you could overlook her obnoxious personality. By now a body has been found on the porch, then when the police are called it mysteriously disappears. It then reappears not only in Patsy's car but in the police chief's car as well. Eddie and Patsy are convinced one of the scientists is behind it (even the most interesting character in the film, Duckworth, the butler (George Kirby) is acting suspicious, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it?????)
It's from PRC....so set your expectations VERY low!
planktonrules24 May 2020
Back in the 1930s and 40s, double-features were the norm. Audience members could expect to see two complete films....plus possibly a cartoon and a short! The premium film, the one that drew audiences was the so-called 'A-film'. The B-movie, in contrast, was shorter, more quickly made and were more likely to be forgettable. Now I am NOT saying B-movies were all bad....there were many great Bs and many more that were very good entertainment. However, the term 'B-movie' has commonly come to mean bad film...mostly because quite a few of these cheap movies were pretty bad...particularly the ones made by tiny little studios. These tiny studios were so small and tight with budgets that they didn't even own their own studio space...most rented space at the major studios at night when everyone else was at home. One of the most consistently craptastic of these Poverty Row studios was PRC, a studio that managed to make films in the most artless and dull manner possible in too many cases. Is "Rogues Gallery" yet another rotten PRC outing? I sure assumed so when I saw the logo when the movie started!
Reporter Patsy Reynolds and photographer Eddie Porter (Robin Raymond and Frank Jenks) are supposed to meet with an inventor (H.B. Warner)...but when they arrive there's been an attack on the professor and someone has broken into the factory. You can only assume that like too many Bs, the pair will end up investigating the break-in and they'll likely solve it before the cops! And, like many Bs, there's a disappearing and re-appearing corpse!!
The biggest problem about this film is Robin Raymond. I am not sure if she was directed to be so loud and brash...but her character sure was loud and brash! I am pretty sure audiences found her rather off-putting. Additionally, making the police so stupid sure didn't help the story! Yes, as is too often the case with B-mysteries, the police are pretty useless. And, finally, the dialog was often pretty lousy. As a result of these factors, the film is tough going at times and is, at best, a time-passer with a difficult to like leading character.
Reporter Patsy Reynolds and photographer Eddie Porter (Robin Raymond and Frank Jenks) are supposed to meet with an inventor (H.B. Warner)...but when they arrive there's been an attack on the professor and someone has broken into the factory. You can only assume that like too many Bs, the pair will end up investigating the break-in and they'll likely solve it before the cops! And, like many Bs, there's a disappearing and re-appearing corpse!!
The biggest problem about this film is Robin Raymond. I am not sure if she was directed to be so loud and brash...but her character sure was loud and brash! I am pretty sure audiences found her rather off-putting. Additionally, making the police so stupid sure didn't help the story! Yes, as is too often the case with B-mysteries, the police are pretty useless. And, finally, the dialog was often pretty lousy. As a result of these factors, the film is tough going at times and is, at best, a time-passer with a difficult to like leading character.
If you're looking for subtlety, it's not in this movie.
mark.waltz16 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is my introduction to actress Robin Reynolds who had a lengthy career of mostly character roles and bits, and in probably her only lead, she comes off as a combination of a brunette Iris Adrian with her wide mouth swallowing up the script and the deadpan Virginia O'Brien on espresso beans. Reynolds overplays the aggression as an investigative reporter out to get the scoop on a murder in this Producers Releasing Corporation programmer, bossing everybody around including tag-along photographer Frank Jenks, and only showing any sort of gentility when she's interviewing professor H.B. Warner.
There is probably too much hijinx going on in addition to the mystery here, utilizing farce and verbal comedy that when spoken by Reynolds simply comes off as abrasive without a touch of subtlety. Having come from PRC, this film seems like it may have been written for comic Patsy Kelly who at least had a likable demeanor. It's all plotting and much to force, with the twists completely unbelievable and the outcome truly eye-rolling. While the idea of having a commanding female working in a man's world prior to the women's movement seems a novel idea, she is truly too much a know-it-all, putting everybody around her down simply to boost her up, and after 10 minutes of that it truly becomes tired.
There is probably too much hijinx going on in addition to the mystery here, utilizing farce and verbal comedy that when spoken by Reynolds simply comes off as abrasive without a touch of subtlety. Having come from PRC, this film seems like it may have been written for comic Patsy Kelly who at least had a likable demeanor. It's all plotting and much to force, with the twists completely unbelievable and the outcome truly eye-rolling. While the idea of having a commanding female working in a man's world prior to the women's movement seems a novel idea, she is truly too much a know-it-all, putting everybody around her down simply to boost her up, and after 10 minutes of that it truly becomes tired.
A Fast-Talking Newspaperwoman
boblipton23 March 2023
Reporter Robin Raymond and her photographer, Frank Jenks, are told to go to cover a new invention. It turns out to be a device that can hear things at great distances invented by H. B. Warner. Soon, there is a disappearing and reappearing corpse and various other effects of an invention that can be sold for a couple of million dollars.
It's supposed to be a comedy-mystery, but the funny stuff is rather sparse on the ground. Miss Raymond is a small woman with a delivery like Martha Raye. She wears hats that are larger than she is. Other performers include Frank McGlynn Sr and Milton Kibbee. For A PRC picture, it's surprisingly painless.
It's supposed to be a comedy-mystery, but the funny stuff is rather sparse on the ground. Miss Raymond is a small woman with a delivery like Martha Raye. She wears hats that are larger than she is. Other performers include Frank McGlynn Sr and Milton Kibbee. For A PRC picture, it's surprisingly painless.
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